Victorian Government Set To Apologise For Historic Gay Laws

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews will issue an historic state apology in May for laws that once criminalised homosexuality.

At a marriage equality march on Sunday, Mr Andrews said the apology would take place in parliament on May 24, acknowledging the 'shameful' legislation which prosecuted homosexuals for having consensual sex.

Before 1980, the offence carried penalties of up to 15 years’ jail.

Attending the Midsumma Pride March in Melbourne, Mr Andrews told reporters he wanted to send "the strongest message that we are sorry”.

“(It) was a dark chapter in our state's history and we are better than that,” he said.

"It was shameful that our laws prohibited and turned those (homosexual) activities into crime."

Mr Andrews also called on the Federal Government to legalise same-sex marriage.

"I think Australians are getting pretty sick and tired of this notion that we'll have a plebiscite and Australians will basically decide the matter, and I've seen some politicians in the Federal Government saying that, whilst at the same time other members of the Government are saying that won't matter," he said.